Book clubs are a great way to blend the joy of reading with meeting other people.
The enjoyment of a book seems to increase when you can share the story with someone else.
If you have your own book club or are thinking of forming one, let the New Westminster Public Library help. We have books to help you plan and start a book club, lead the discussion and find books to read.
The New York Public Library Guide to Reading Groups includes a great list of ideas for leading the group, as does Read 'Em their Writes by Gary Warren Niebuhr.
Discussion ideas for individual books can also be found online.
Try www.Reading Group Guides.com and many publishers' websites.
Often, a publisher will also include book club discussion questions at the end of the book.
Several years ago, the library launched its book club sets and they are well used.
The sets go out for six weeks and include a reader's guide and a bag to carry the books in. When you're searching the catalogue, use Book Club Set as a keyword. The titles range from fiction and mysteries to non-fiction and include The Cellist of Sarajevo, The Book of Negroes, and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
The New Westminster Public Library is launching a new book club this fall.
The Read With Us Book Club begins on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. with a discussion of The Help by Kathryn Stockett. On Tuesday, November 20 at 7 p.m. we'll talk about Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
Copies of the books are available to borrow from the library.
Read the book, then drop in and join us in the discussion.
Online book clubs are also popular (try www.thereadingroom.com) and even the CBC runs a book club with its Canada Reads.
Watch later this fall for the new selection and the new debaters who will pick a book for all of Canada to read.
The library is located at 716 Sixth Ave. in New Westminster.
The New Westminster Public Library
